Frances B. Williams

Long time Little Rock resident, FRANCES B. WILLIAMS, widow of E. Grainger Williams, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. A celebration of her life will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Ark. at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2015. The daughter of the late Congressman Alfred Lee Bulwinkle and Bessie Lewis Bulwinkle, she was born in Dallas, N.C. on July 26, 1912. She was educated in public schools in Dallas and Gastonia, N.C. and in Washington, D.C. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the Washington (D.C.) School for Secretaries. After graduation, she worked in her Father's Congressional Office for six years. She married E. Grainger Williams in 1939; they were a strong and dynamic team for almost 74 years. Their children are Ann W. Wedaman (Don Frankland) of Overland Park, Kan. and Alfred L. Williams (Elaine Eubank) of Little Rock. Grainger and Frances's family expanded to include three nieces and a nephew after the death of their parents, the late Brownie W. and Cal Ledbetter: E. Grainger Williams (the late Virginia), June H. Williams, all of Little Rock and Quendrid W. Veatch (Ralph) of Tulsa, Okla. Her well-loved grandchildren are Michael Wedaman (Michelle), David Wedaman (Sarah Klein), Sarah Wedaman (Lesley Quinn), Heather Williams Whitson (Scott), J. Grainger Williams (Becca Grunnels), Grainger Ledbetter (Sherry Curry), the late Jeff Ledbetter, Snow Ledbetter Moen (Chris), Helon W. Quiggins (Bill), Beth W. Yandell, William H. Williams, Melinda Veatch (Glen Ely), Amy Veatch, and Ross Peterson-Veatch (Erica). Twenty-six great-grandchildren also enriched her life: Leah & Isaac Wedaman, Wang Tian Yang & Kien Nyugen, Maisie and Baxter Quinn, Ellery & Jackson Budan, Cassidy Williams, Campbell, Mary & Jeffrey Curry-Ledbetter, Lily & Gwyneth Moen, Helon & Leila Wright, Oscar and Arthur Peterson-Veatch, Sean & Robin Nadji, Shelby Quiggins, Katie June Williams, Will Yandell, and Benjamin, Samuel & Caroline Williams. One of Frances's greatest contributions to this community was her willingness to stand up for equal public educational opportunities for all during the Little Rock Crisis in 1957-58 and the years following. She was an original member, and on the executive committee, of the Women's Emergency Committee to Open our Schools and was active in service during the life of that organization. That she was a strong believer in equal opportunities for all and relished meeting and knowing people of different backgrounds and cultures are reflected in her other civic and religious affiliations. She was a 50+ year member of the Urban League of Greater Little Rock and a member of its Board of Directors. She was also a 50+ year member of the American Red Cross and served as chairperson of its Office of Volunteers for several years. She belonged to the League of Women Voters, the Fine Arts Club, the International Club and the State Hospital Auxiliary. Although raised a Lutheran, she was an active member of Central Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and Second Presbyterian Church, all in Little Rock. She and Grainger offered strong leadership in the building and support of Presbyterian Village. She served as one of the organizers of their Women's Auxiliary and as a long time volunteer. Frances is survived by her family and many loved nieces and nephews, including Lee Bulwinkle (Sharon Ferguson) and Ruthy Bulwinkle of Portland, Ore. Predeceasing her in addition to E. Grainger Williams, her parents and those mentioned above were Alfred Lewis and Manon Bulwinkle, Tom Wedaman, and Moe Quinn. The family is grateful to Charlene Estes, Rosemary Beavers, Diane Beavers, Angel Parks, and Keisha Coakley for their incredible care and affection and to Arkansas Hospice and the Presbyterian Village for their gentle and comforting care. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Frances and Grainger Williams Endowment Fund at Presbyterian Village, 510 N. Brookside Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205; Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72227; Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, 1720 Ferncliff Road, Little Rock, AR 72223 or a charity of your choice. Online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.